Adoption

Adoption Servicesare provided without regard to income to both those seeking to surrender a child for adoption and those who are desirous of adopting a child. Parents who are unwilling or unable to care for their child are assisted in the surrender process as well as counseled and advised of their legal rights. They are also offered services as an option to surrendering the child. This unit will also institute legal proceedings to terminate parental rights in situations that warrant such action. In some cases, legal proceedings to terminate parental rights are initiated in situations that warrant such action.

Adoptive parents for Sullivan County are recruited, carefully screened and trained by Department Senior Caseworkers. Counseling and other services are provided during the adoption process and for the 12-month period after finalization of the adoption. Subsidies can be provided to adoptive families for children who meet the eligibility criteria.